Reading discover EFL Trophy group stage opponents ahead of fixture release week

Reading discovered two of their three EFL Trophy group stage opponents this morning in what is a big week for 2024/25 preparations.

A competition for teams in tiers two and three, including a smattering of Premier League academy sides, Reading reached the quarter-final last year but were knocked out on penalties by Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21s.

For the upcoming 2024/25 campaign, Newport County and Cheltenham Town have been confirmed in the Royals' group.

Cheltenham were relegated out of League One last year while Newport have recently parted company with boss Graham Coughlan after an 18th-place finish in the fourth tier last season.

Split between north and south, a draw on Thursday afternoon will decide which youth team join them in Group H and which tie will be played away from home.

Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are the eight possible youth teams.

Ruben Selles' first team will discover their League One fixture list on Wednesday, the same day that the players return to start pre-season training.

While attention can turn to the new campaign, supporters and staff alike still fear for the club's future with a takeover taking longer than had hoped.

There are also fears that the women's team could be demoted or closed completely unless funds can be proved for the new season.